Mustering up the motivation to tackle your rising energy costs can sometimes be a challenge, especially if you’re not sure where to start. The truth is, you can often adjust little habits on your lifestyle to create better outcomes when that dreaded bill arrives in your mailbox, and it all starts with shifting your consumption at home.
In this article, we’re going to highlight some of the ways you can slash costs on your electricity bills and save energy along the way.
Cut your energy bills down with these hacks
1.Turn off any appliances when not in use
It’s obvious, but we’re all guilty now and then of not turning off appliances when we’re done with them. Switching them off at the powerpoint can save significant amounts of power, especially in comparison by just powering them off through the remote (like your computer).
2.Use your blinds, curtains and doors
Trap heat and cold air into your space by closing blinds, curtains and doors where you can. This will keep your room cold or warm – depending on what you’re aiming for. In summer, this is especially handy, as the sun’s rays are effectively blocked out.
3.Think about your laundry tactics
It’s tempting to throw all your clothes in the dryer and be done with it, but these appliances can be expensive to run. Instead, spend the extra few minutes hanging your laundry outside, or on a clothes horse indoors if the weather isn’t so forgiving. Additionally, according to Victoria Energy Saver, you can save up to $115 a year by washing your clothes in cold water.
4.Avoid going overboard with the heating and cooling
Nothing’s worse than waking up in the morning and feeling the chill of winter quickly biting at your toes when you crawl out of bed. We’re all victims of cranking up the heater in hopes to warm up the house rapidly, but this is also a significant cause of unnecessarily high bills. If your heater or air conditioner allows you to section off parts of your home that you don’t use, this will also help you to lower your consumption.
5.Know your energy plan
The fine print on your electricity or gas bill matters. Not reading it might mean you’re paying too much for your usage, especially if there are more competitive offers in your location. Use a tool like our free energy health check to assess whether there are more viable options available to your property. We recommend checking your plan every year to make sure there are no surprises.
6.Consider solar power
Rising to popularity across the globe – and especially in Australia, solar power systems give you the ability to generate your own electricity and even push back any excess to the grid (cha-ching). You could cut your energy bills by up to 30 to 40 per cent just by installing an array of panels on your rooftop.
Get three FREE quotes on a solar power system here.
RELATED: How solar power is getting even cheaper in Australia